Surgical instrument



PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

A. G. HEATH.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 190a.

i0 MODEL.

[NVE/VTOR W6. M

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES Patented September 20, 1904.

P TENT @FFICE.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,368, dated September 20, 1904. A Application filed May 9, 1904. Serial No. 207,007. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT CHENEY HEATH, of St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State 'of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Surgical Instruments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in surgical instruments, and is particularly designed for the therapeutic application of heated compressed air, with or without drugs, to diseased conditions or localities.

It is well known that conducted by a metal raises the temperature of that metal in direct proportion to the strength of the electric current and the resistance of said metal to said current and also that when a current of air is forced through an electric current .a conduit the walls of which are heated this same current of air at or near its point of emergence from the conduit is heated in direct proportion to the temperature of the end of this conduit where the air emerges.

The object of this present invention is to combine the foregoing principles in a simple and inexpensive device by means of which the heated air may be maintained at a maximum temperature and readily applied to any affected part.

In carrying out my invention I employ a metal tube or pipe at either end of which is attached a pole of an electric current whereby the metal forming the walls of the tube are thrown directly in the circuit. The electric current by reason of the resistance of the metal raises the temperature of the latter, so that when a current of air is blown through the tube the temperature thereof is raised and maintained until it reaches the point of exit.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an otoscope with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is aconventional view illustrating the principles of my invention. Fig. 1 is a view of a form of my appliance designed for dental and superficial use. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5, Fig. 4,.

Referring to the drawings, designates an otoscope or instrument such as employed by aurists for examination of the ear drum and canal, the same being illustrated more or less conventionally. This instrument is formed with a non-conducting body 11, covered by asbestos or other heat-non-conducting material 12. WVith said body is formed a coneshaped projection 13, of metal. designed for insertion into the ear-canal. The otoscope is provided with a metallic frame 14, which supports the usual window 15. Bindingposts l6 16 are secured to the metal frame la and projection 13, respectively, of the otoscope in any preferred manner, and said frame and projection are brought into electric circuit by a metallic tube 17 secured at one end, a, to said frame, the exit end 5 thereof being in contact with one edge of the coneshaped projection. Electricity is conducted to the binding-posts by suitable wires 18, leading from any suitable generator, (conventionally indicated at 19,) and a rheostat 20 is employed to regulate the current. i

In practice the instrument is inserted in the ear of the patient, the current having been turned on, whereupon the tube 17 becomes heated. A current of air is then forced through the tube 17 in any suitable manner, becoming heated in its transit and retaining its temperature as it leaves at the point of exit. A suitable vent 0 is provided in the side of the otoscope to permit the air to escape from the ear of the patient.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a conventional form of my invention in which 21 is the tube connected by conductors 22 with the generator 23. The arrows indicate the direction of the current of air, which is cool at the point of inlet a and heated at the point of exit 5.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a form of my appliance designed for dental, or, in fact, any other superficial use. In this form I employ a tube 24:, having a forward curved end 25, said end being connected by suitable conductors 26 with the generator 27. The air is supplied in any suitable manner, entering at a in a cool state and leaving at b in a heated state. The tube is preferably covered with asbestos or other suitable heat non-conductor.

The advantages of my invention will be at once apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains. The use of hot or heated air locally applied has become quite an aid to physicians and dentists in the treatment of various diseases, and it will be readily observed that I have produced a simple and inexpensive device by means of which the air may be quickly and economically heated and the temperature thereof maintained until the time of delivery or application.

I am aware that appliances have heretofore been produced by means of which a current of air is first heated and then blown through a conduit and other devices in which the tube or conduit is provided with an internal heating device over which the current of air passes; but these devices are open to objection in that the temperature of the heated air is not maintained up to the point of exit. This is a decided disadvantage which is overcome by my invention.

I claim as my invention- 1. A device of the character described comprising an electric generator, a tube or conduit provided with an inner heat-radiating portion surrounded by an outer non-radiating protecting-covering, and conductors leading from said generator to the opposite ends of said tube or conduit, whereby a current of air passed through said conduit becomes heated by said radiating-surface.

2. A device of the character described com prising a tube or conduit provided with an inner heat-radiating portion surrounded by an outer non-radiating protecting-covering, and electric means in circuit with said tube, whereby said radiating portion is heated.

3. The combination with an otoscope comprising a casing formed of metallic extremities and an intermediate non-conducting body portion, of a tube or conduit in electric circuit with the extremities of said casing, and an electric generator also in circuit with said extremities.

4. The combination with an otoscope comprising a casing formed of metallic extremities and an intermediate non-conducting body portion, of a tube or conduit having its end contacting with the extremities of said casing,

whereby said tube is brought into electric circuit with said extremities.

5. The combination with an otoscope comprising a casing formed of metallic extremities and an intermediate non-conducting body portion, of a tube or conduit in electric circuit with the extremities of said casing, a non-radiating protecting-covering for said casing, and an electric generator also in electric circuit with said extremities.

In testimony whereof I have'signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT CHENEY HEATH.

Witnesses:

Ror LAINIREY HEATH, LUCIE JANE HEATH. 

